WARLEY MRC CIO

From March 2013 it became possible for non profit organisations that were charitable in nature but previously could not register as a charity to become Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO). The main intended benefits of the new entity are that it has a legal status, the ability to conduct business in its own name, and its members and trustees have limited liability in the event of financial loss. Though not dissimilar in some ways to a Company it would be subject of the Charity Commission regulation.

The Club saw a number of advantages in this new form of charity and decided to to apply for and register with the Charity Commission. The registration was accepted and the club was registered as a ‘CIO - Association’  on 12 September 2013, one of the early registrations and the first model railway club to do so. Our registration number is 1153792.

The registration required the club show that it has a charitable purpose - the objectives - and a written constitution.

“The objects of the club are to advance public education and foster a general interest in model railways , railways and allied pursuits, and in particular to encourage a high standard of modelling amongst the members.”

The constitution is the basis upon which the club is run and directed. It is the ‘governing document’.  That requires us to have at least three Trustees who have the responsibility for the running of the club and ensuring it is managed in a manner that promotes the objectives and the charitable status. The Trustees are supported by the Club committee.